Are people (not Asylum seekers) entering Australia with a valid passport and visa (if required), whether they overstay or not (less than one half percent do according to Immigration Dept)  comparable with asylum seekers arriving in boats? None of whom have any visas at all?

Doesn't really help the Asylum seekers issues to do so.

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@spotweldersfriend wrote:
Which begs the question.If these boat people do have ID papers,why wouldn't they just fly in? Much cheaper and safer? " May I get you a drink sir.No? Enjoy your flight"

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When & how would they apply for and get granted an Australian short stay visa? Go to their countries Aust embassy/ High commission ( if they have one, Afghanistan doesn't for one) and apply for a holiday visa before they flee?

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@spotweldersfriend wrote:
Which begs the question.If these boat people do have ID papers,why wouldn't they just fly in? Much cheaper and safer? " May I get you a drink sir.No? Enjoy your flight"

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Imagine a flight with some hirsute asylum seekers.  I doubt that the aircraft would ever get off the ground, such would be the hysteria (of everyone else).

I think you will find that those that overstay their visas greatly outnumber those that have been granted asylum, I have a feelling that many Australians don't want genuine refugees here at all and are using the fact that some are economic refugees against the genuine ones unfortunately.

Why.. because it is unsafe for them to have Embassies/High Commissions in some countries? or what?

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@donnashuggy wrote:

I think you will find that those that overstay their visas greatly outnumber those that have been granted asylum, I have a feelling that many Australians don't want genuine refugees here at all and are using the fact that some are economic refugees against the genuine ones unfortunately.

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there is a difference between refugee and asylum seeker

clever use of words above HAVE BEEN GRANTED ASYLUM.

the figures for last year are not supporting your claim........most people who over stay their visa is only by days, but is captured in the total number.

sojourn = to spend time/visit.

to seek asylum don't you just need to walk into a Australian embassy/consulate and ask?

the same way as you defect from a communist country?